The Mayor is the leader of the executive branch or the Chief Executive of the City of Atlantic City. The Mayor is elected by the citizens to serve for a term of four (4) years.
Hon. Marty Small, Sr.
Marty Small was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 25, 1974 to the late Ms. Annette Ann Small. Marty is a lifelong resident of Atlantic City, where he was educated in the Atlantic City Public School System. An elementary school graduate of New Jersey Avenue School, a middle school graduate of Central Junior High School, and a High School Graduate of Atlantic City High School (1993).
In the summer of 1993 Marty enrolled in the EOF Program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications. During his four year career, he was a stand out basketball player, winning consecutive N.J.A.C. titles in ’95-’96, (New Jersey Athletic Conference) and participated in the NCAA Division III Tournament in three years going to one “Elite Eight,” two “Sweet 16” and one E.C.A.C. Final (Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference). Marty had an outstanding career as a two-time all N.J.A.C., two-time all E.C.A.C., and two-time all Atlantic Region. Marty finished his career with 1,238 points and is the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s All Time Leading Rebounder.
Six days after graduating, Marty was signed to a professional basketball contract with the Atlantic City Seagulls (United States Basketball League). The Seagulls went on to win the 1998 United States Basketball League Championship that season.Afterwards, he worked as a Social Caseworker for the City of Atlantic City. Marty wanted to become active in the community and the easiest way was to give back through basketball. In December of 1998, he started The Elwood Roberts Midnight Basketball League of Atlantic City, in honor of the late great Elwood Roberts. The League targeted at risk adults and provided a competitive and structured recreational environment in the late night hours, a league that he facilitated for 8 years. In March of 1999 he received a promotion as the Safe Haven Program Coordinator, where he coordinated Youth and Senior Citizens programs.
In January of 2000 Marty accepted a position with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City as Youth Program Manager. Marty viewed this as a homecoming of sort; because he spent his entire childhood as a member of the Boys & Girls Club from age 6-19. Marty received two promotions while on staff at the Boys & Girls Club. He was Director of Health, Life Skills, and Recreation & Unit Director.
In April 2001 Marty was appointed to The Atlantic City Free Public Library Board of Trustees. In April 2002 Marty was elected to the Atlantic City Board of Education. He served as Vice President during his tenure.
On January 1,2004 at age 29, Marty was sworn in as the Youngest Elected Councilman in the history of the City of Atlantic City. Marty served the 2nd Ward as Councilman for 16 Years and was going to start his 5th term January 1, 2020, Marty served as City Council President for the last 4 years. Marty achieved a life goal on October 3, 2019, by act of law, becoming acting Mayor for the City of Atlantic City. After a unanimous vote by The Atlantic City Democratic Committee and a unanimous vote by City Council, on October 15, 2019 Marty was selected as the 4th African American Mayor in the history of Atlantic City. Marty Loves Atlantic City, in fact, he has an Atlantic City Slogan and tells the world every chance he gets that “I’m Atlantic City Born, I’m Atlantic City Bred, and when I die, I’m going to be Atlantic City Dead.” In addition to serving Mayor and City Councilman, Marty is a career Recreation Professional. Marty worked for the Atlantic City Board of Education as the Coordinator of Elementary Extra Curricular Activities for 11 years.
Marty has received various Community Service awards.He received the AtlantiCare Outstanding Leadership Award for the Greater Atlantic City Area, The African American Male Conference Community Service Award,and The IRC Council of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s Vera King Farris Award, The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Commitment to Youth Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority “It’s Reigning Men Award”, The Manhood Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, The Council of Black Faculty and Staff of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Distinguished Alumni Award, The Bangladesh Association of South Jersey Appreciation Award, The Bangladesh Association of Atlantic County, The Pakistan Community, The Fellowship of Churches of Atlantic City & Vicinity Leadership Award. Marty has also been honored by several youth organizations such as The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, The Atlantic City Dolphins, Xclusive Drill Team, Atlantic City Youth Exposure, Triple B Basketball League, In My Care Mentoring Program & Faceless Fashions. In May of 2016 Marty reached an educational milestone by obtaining his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. In October of 2016 Marty was inducted into The Stockton University Athletics Hall of Fame as a Basketball Player. In October of 2018 Marty was inducted into the Stockton University Athletics Hall of Fame again, this time his team who reached the Elite 8 during his Junior Year, the 1995-96 season was inducted. In February of 2020 Mayor Small was honored at the Tri-State Black History Awards.
2020 was a big political year as Marty helped defeat a Change of Government Referendum by winning 80% of the vote, the democratic primary with 65% of the vote and over 70% of the vote to secure another year in the Mayors office. 2021 continued to be a Big Political year, with a full four-year term at stake as Mayor Small won the 2021 Democratic Primary with 81% of the Vote, and The General Election in November of 2021 with 70% of The Vote. On January 1, 2022 Mayor Marty Small Sr. was sworn in for a full four-year term at Historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, The Home of his political mentor the late great former Senator, Assemblyman & Mayor of The GREAT City of Atlantic City, Jim Whelan. Mayor Small had his inaugural gala on Saturday June 4,2022 at Harrah’s Casino Resort. The Gala titled “Together We Rise” was hosted by 9 Time Grammy Award Winning Artist Mary J. Blige was a fundraiser for youth organizations. Mayor Small raised $611,130 and minus the expenses was able to give $400,000 back to the youth of The GREAT City of Atlantic City. 2023 The honors continued to roll in as Mayor Small was ranked #9 amongst African American’s in The State of New Jersey by Insider NJ and was ranked amongst the most influential in the State of New Jersey by ROI-NJ. Mayor Small received The Politics Award in February 2023 by The New Jersey African American Chamber of Commerce, Tonight he is receiving The Government Award at The NAACP Freedom Fund Gala, and in June he will receive a community award from Atlantic City PAL for his support for Youth in The GREAT City of Atlantic City. Mayor Small currently serves as The Southern New Jersey Vice President for The New Jersey Urban Mayors Association and he is The Rep for Atlantic County for The New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Marty credits his life lessons and experiences for preparing him for to succeed and lives by a quote from the Late Great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “The Ultimate Measure of a Man is not where he stands at moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of Challenge and Controversy.” Marty is married to Dr. La'Quetta Small, Superintendent of Atlantic City Schools. They have two children, Jada & Marty Jr. He shares a special relationship with his Aunt Gloria Small, who helped raise him. He credits his success to his late mother Annette Small and his late Great Aunt Lucille Curley.
It is the job of the Mayor to enforce the City Charter. The Mayor appoints Department Heads, with the advice and consent of City Council, who assist in carrying out the mission and vision that the Mayor sets for the City. The Mayor also appoints members of boards and commissions, makes recommendations to City Council on items of public interest and annually reports on the State of the City. The Mayor submits the annual budget to City Council and approves (or vetoes) all City Council ordinances.
